Former Tibetan political prisoner Golog Jigme meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on July 26, 2018 at the U.S. Department of State, in Washington, D.C. Photo: TPI

President Dr Lobsang Sangay with the Thank You India Souvenir – A Dharmachakra representing the wheel of Universal Truth, at the press conference at Press Club of India on January 18, 2018. Photo: CTA/DIIR/Tenzin Phende

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Dharamshala: Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a member of the upper house of Indian Parliament, has called for the attention of the world, especially India on the self immolation tragedy in Tibet.

Letters have been sent by Mr Chandrasekhar to speakers of both the houses of the Indian Parliament encouraging them to take notice of the critical situation in Tibet. On March 19 a letter was sent requesting that "Dr Lobsang Sangay, Prime minister of the Tibetan government in exile, Tibet, be invited to depose before the standing committee on foreign affairs."

Following that, on March 21 a letter was sent by Mr Chandrasekhar requesting that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama also address the parliament "I think it would be fitting for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, especially given the fact that he as a spiritual leader and a person who espouses non-violence and dialogue, to address the Parliament and share his views on world and conflicts in specific"

Mr Chandrasekhar says that the attendance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his address to the nation would "go a long way in supporting and spreading His Holiness' message of peace, tolerance and harmony for all the peoples of the world."

Emphasising India's long standing relationship with Tibet, Mr Chandrasekhar wrote that as the world's largest democracy India has a responsibility to support the Tibetan people, saying that "India has a moral responsibility as the world's largest democracy to be a flag bearer of hope to any people all over the world, including Tibetans, who are faced with lack of hope. People in Libya, Tunisia and Syria look at India as harbinger of hope because it represents hope for democracy, free speech and the future. So I think India, its people and parliamentarians, have a moral responsibility and we should not take it lightly."

Speaking about his letter to Tibetonline TV on March 25 Mr Chandrasekhar stated "The issue of Indo-Tibetan friendship and Tibet is something that has not been refreshed in recent times in the minds of Indian legislatures and the public in large"

Mr Chandrasekhar went on to say that the current situation surrounding the self-immolations is unacceptable and that the international community, in particular the Indians in India, should be paying more attention as to why so many young Tibetans are setting themselves on fire.

Mr Chandrasekhar's actions follow the The Tibetan People's Solidarity Campaign, which was held in New Delhi on February 2. Over 30 Indian parliamentarians and political leaders took part in the campaign which aimed to draw the global attention on the escalating crisis in Tibet.